David Moulton: Will Mesa leave the Cubs door open for Naples on Election Day?

NAPLES - These days, you don't want to mix sports and politics. But this time it can't be helped.

My favorite political journalist was the late Tim Russert. I'll never forget the Monday before Election Day in 1994 he was asked to make a prediction about the mid-term elections. He said, "get ready for Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich." Those around him scoffed and said it was too many seats for the Republicans to pick up. He gave them (and me) a quick political lesson in who turns out for mid-term elections, and was the one of the few national journalists to clue into the "movement" that was taking place.

Fast forward to 2010. I'm not in any way taking sides, but it's pretty clear what is "going on out there." I mean, a Republican won Ted Kennedy's seat in the Senate.

Political lesson over.

But as Tip O'Neill famously said "all politics are local." So let's take a look at the city of Mesa and the state of Arizona.

Neither one has any money. Like Florida, Arizona has been dealing with significantly depressed real estate values, and many municipalities struggling to provide basic services. In many primary elections this summer, the candidates battled to show who is the more fiscally conservative.

Yet it is in this political climate, Mesa and the Chicago Cubs are asking local taxpayers to finance a new home for the team. It is called Proposition 420. The proposal allows for the city to spend up to $84 million to build a stadium and practice facilities, with a cap of $15 million for infrastructure, for a total of $99 million.

How well do you think that's going over?

So well, there is not one but two "Anti-420" groups that have formed. Local TV ads and many signs around town refer to Proposition 420 as a "bailout."

Whether it is or not, how popular in the fall of 2010 do you think that makes Proposition 420?

So popular that Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts has spent a good chunk of October attending Rotary events and pancake breakfasts trying to drum up support. How many billionaires do you know who like to spend their time this way? Recently Rickets even donated $100,000 to a PAC that supports Proposition 420.

Time AND money, huh? Clearly Ricketts polling of Prop 420 indicates the wind is in his face on this one.

Remember Walter O'Malley didn't want to leave Brooklyn either. He tried for years to stay but move to a better location (which is what the Cubs want in Mesa). But when N.Y. politics denied him his location, only then did he move.

The Cubs never could bring themselves to break up with Mesa, Ariz. So its up to Mesa to do what Naples just couldn't quite pull off. End this relationship once and for all.

Mesa's heart likely says "Stay" but their head appears to be indicating that it's time to "Go."

Make no mistake, even a bunch of "lovable losers" (the Cubs) would take this hint. Because Mesa would be joining the entire Cactus League, as well as every state and national politician in Arizona (with the exception of the mayor of Mesa) who for the last two years said:

"We got nothing for ya."

Of all the election results on Nov. 2, the one that would impact Southwest Florida more than any other is almost 3,000 miles away.

The vote will be close, and go to the wee hours of the morning, but on Wednesday, the results will speak loud and clear. If it goes a certain way, a local news anchor should channel their inner Russert and write on a chalkboard,

Naples

Naples

Naples

Finally.

David Moulton is a freelance writer. He co-hosts "Miller and Moulton in the Afternoon." The show airs weekdays from 2-7 p.m. on WWCN/AM 770 ESPN. His column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.